Signs of the Times

February 1911 Signs of the Times Dedicated to Metal Signs

Plus, an unexpected promise of “live” reporting pre-radio or TV.

Published

1 month ago

March 25, 2024

Signs of the Times Staff Signs of the Times March 2024 Issue

IRON MAN

AN ANNOUNCEMENT INSIDE this February 1911 issue reads thus: “Beginning with the March Issue Signs of the Times will publish a regular department devoted to Metal Signs. This Metal Sign Number [issue] demonstrates the activity in the Metal Sign field. Signs of the Times will keep this department filled with live articles and information concerning metal signs.” Live articles? By early radio or carrier pigeon? See this and other issues dating back to 1906 at signsofthetimes.com/archive.

Closer Look
This guy, Mr. I. H. Sawyer, wasn’t a signmaker. Dude was the advertising manager for Brown Shoe Co. in St. Louis. Please don’t ask us to feature your client’s portrait on our cover!
The Ballad of “Bud” Atkinson
Page 28 of this issue includes a 12-stanza ode to “The Champion Sign Writer,” Frank H. “Bud” Atkinson. A sample couplet: “At ‘spacing,’ Bud seldom erred / But if he did, he never cared.”

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